McCaffrey: I Want to Help Suffolk County

The race for the 14th District seat in the Suffolk County Legislature got off to a start with Kevin McCaffrey, the deputy mayor in Lindenhurst, announcing the start of his campaign to win the seat that will be given up by departing Legislator Wayne Horsley.

"The opportunity came up to run for county legislator, as it came on very suddenly, and I expressed an interest if the time was right," McCaffrey told Patch following his opening campaign event outside of Lindenhurst Village Hall on July 26. He said was interested "in doing other things to help other people and the people in the village of Lindenhurst."

McCaffrey has spent the last 24 years in village government in Lindenhurst, where he has been a resident for 30 years.

McCaffrey told Patch he believes there are a lot of things he could help make better in the county, including lowering the county's budget.

"I think one of the biggest things we have to do in Suffolk County is get a balanced budget and try and get our financial controls in place," he said. "We're running several hundred million dollars in deficits every year – that's not sustainable."

He added: "We've never thought about doing that in the village of Lindenhurst and we'd never think about doing it. It's fiscal responsible and strength and security in Suffolk County I'd like to see."

While McCaffrey is a well-known figure in Lindenhurst's politics after his 20-plus years of continuous service, the man he would replace, Horsley, is well-known throughout the town, seen at events large and small to give his thoughts and support.

McCaffrey said he believes many from outside the village boarders know him, especially since Hurricane Sandy slammed its flooding surge across the area. McCaffrey has been one of the loudest voices in Lindenhurst trying to help residents recover from the storm's wrath.

"I think a lot of people on the south shore have gotten to know me, not as the deputy mayor, but one of the people they've worked with in town government with Rich Schaffer and Steve Bellone to help all the victims of Superstorm Sandy," he noted. 

"I have gotten to know those people, I've been in those communities and I've connected with them. I'm going to get to know them real well between now and November."

The Suffolk County Democratic Committee has not yet officially announced a candidate to replace Horsley in this November's elections.